Wednesday, early evening, Darcy House, Bennets' rooms
Jane was seated at the dressing table in their room, perfecting a new hair arrangement. Elizabeth was sitting on one of the beds, carefully stitching a length of pale blue ribbon onto Jane's one suitable-for-dinner dress.
"Jane, I think we will need more dresses."
"We will."
"What do you think of Mr Darcy?"
"I haven't really thought about him, Lizzy."
"Something is bothering me, but I don't know what."
"Something about Mr Darcy?"
"Maybe, or Pemberley. I think I have heard that name before."
"Are you keen on Mr Darcy, Lizzy?"
"No…I don't know" said Elizabeth.
After a moment or two, Jane asked "Why was Mr Darcy there today?"
"To prevent his sister being married."
"He arrived with the Earl and the vicar. The Earl ordered Mr Darcy to give written consent. My impression was that the Earl expected to be obeyed. His sons were terrified of him. I was too!"
"Mr Darcy did say Georgie was too young."
"He said that, true, but the first thing the captain asked him was whether he was there to rescue Georgie or give her away. The captain has been abroad for over two years, Lizzy, but he immediately questioned Mr Darcy's intentions."
"That's true. His intentions are unclear. What do you think, Jane?"
"I think you should admire my new hair style."
"It's beautiful, Jane."
"Thank you. Maybe the difference between what Mr Darcy said and what was expected of him is bothering you Lizzy.
"I don't know. I think it was something to do with him but not necessarily that. It is so frustrating. I want to know, now!"
"Patience, Lizzy. It will come back to you."
"You're right Jane. Meanwhile, I will try to find out what Mr Darcy was really doing today."
"You're not going to ask him, are you?"
"Why not?"
"Be careful." Jane waved an elegant hand. "I'd hate to be thrown out of Darcy House before I got used to all this luxury."
"I'll just be my charming self."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"Oh Jane!"
Notwithstanding her raging curiosity regarding Mr Darcy, Elizabeth had to admit, she felt good!
Was it the after effect of the morning's triumph? The luxury of this new world? The excitement of meeting new people? The freedom from the oppression of Longbourn?
"All of these things" thought Elizabeth "I feel so alive, so full of energy! It's as if I have woken up in a favourable reality after a long-lasting nightmare."
Jane had an air of tension about her as if her energy was high too. When she smiled at Elizabeth there was hope and wonder in her eyes rather than the despair of recent times.
A special day, a special night. Was Mr Bingley truly the love of Jane's life? Tonight may tell. "Will I ever find the love of my life?" Elizabeth wondered as their borrowed maid, Alice, buttoned her dress. Between Jane and Alice, Elizabeth had a new hair arrangement as well and Mary, who did not own a dinner gown, had borrowed one from Georgie.
It was a beautiful gown, still suitable for a very young lady, but vastly superior to anything Mary had ever worn or dreamed of wearing. "I don't think I've ever seen Mary smile like that before" thought Elizabeth.
Wednesday evening, Darcy House reception room
The Bennet sisters were accompanied to the Darcy House formal reception room by a footman. Double doors were thrown open revealing the magnificent dining room beyond. Anne, Georgiana and Lady Clara were just ahead of the Bennets. Georgiana led Mary towards a two-seater in a corner.
"How beautiful!" said Jane, looking into the dining room. Elizabeth had to agree, taking in the polished furniture, the table set for ten, white linen, candles in exotic holders, expensive plate, shiny cutlery and flowers, flowers everywhere.
"Jane is so right." thought Elizabeth "Setting is important."
"Nothing like a last-minute dinner party" said Anne. "As I said to Georgie, after such a morning, I just wanted to celebrate rescuing you ladies and Richard's safe return from war."
"How long was the captain away?" asked Elizabeth
"More than two years abroad but it is closer to three since we last saw him. Too long!"
In their corner, Georgiana and Mary had their heads together.
"I asked Anne to seat us together tonight, Mary."
"Good." said Mary. "I'm not used to formal dinner parties."
"Neither am I. I don't think tonight's seating is terribly formal." smiled Georgie. "Anne said this is a bit like a family dinner. She says I need to practice dinner conversation, so it won't be so daunting when I come out."
"When will that be?" asked Mary.
"Not for a long time I hope!"
"We can practice by discussing music with each other!"
"Good idea!" said Georgiana.
Drinks were served and the ladies talked until the gentlemen arrived. More drinks were served.
How handsome they all were in their formal dress. Mr Bingley, his red gold hair already a little wild, Mr Avery, stern and mysterious with his dark hair tied back, spectacles, unfashionable beard, Captain Fitzwilliam, fair haired, solid, not in uniform tonight and finally, Mr Darcy, his dark curly hair unbound and the face of an angel.
"How unfair and annoying it is" thought Elizabeth "to be turned into a quivering idiot at the sight of a man. It's the long hair, I think. So beautiful, but not helpful to my quest. I need my wits about me to find out information."
To her surprise, she was soon in conversation with that man.
"Miss Elizabeth, delighted to see you again, in a much friendlier setting."
"Darcy House is lovely. We are very happy to be staying here."
"What an adventurous day for you and your sisters! Escaping the no-longer-paternal home, successfully masquerading as Anne and Georgie, getting kidnapped, thoroughly confusing the bovine brothers, infuriating the evil Earl and, in the process, providing myself with some much-needed amusement. Thank you!"
He raised his glass to her.
"I amuse him" thought Elizabeth. "Is that good?"
"Except for the first, it was all quite unintentional, Mr Darcy. We didn't expect to encounter any adventures or dangers before we arrived in London."
"Yet life has a way, doesn't it, of thwarting one's expectations?"
"It certainly does" said Elizabeth, thinking it was time to charm. "We are so grateful for our rescue by you and the other gentlemen. Thank you!"
"I cannot take any credit for your rescue, Miss Elizabeth. I was expecting to find Anne and Georgie at Fitzwilliam House this morning. Imagine my surprise, when the damsels in distress were different damsels!"
"Why were you there Mr Darcy? I can't believe you were part of the Earl's plot."
"Thank you for your faith in me, Miss Elizabeth. I was part of his plot, but I did not know it until I entered his carriage at that ungodly hour. I have no desire to facilitate any marriages of benefit to no one but the Earl."
"Yes, I heard you defend Georgie."
"Defend her?"
"You said she was too young for marriage."
"Yes, I did say that. Of course, some ladies do marry at sixteen."
"You'd never have given permission for her to marry Lord John!"
"Such faith! Consider the word 'never', Miss Elizabeth. I might reply 'No I would never do that', but what if the Earl held a pistol to my head? What would I do then? Would I sign?"
"A hypothetical situation, Mr Darcy" mused Elizabeth. "Hmm. I don't know. It would depend on whether you thought he was bluffing, I suppose. Would the Earl shoot you, his own nephew, in front of witnesses including your sister, for not signing a document? Too late for persuasion, once you were dead."
"True. I don't think he would kill me in that situation, he hates a scandal and a mess. Who knows? His sanity may be questionable. He is desperate for money and, in dealing with the Earl, direct opposition is not a good idea. My plan going in was to avoid signing any documents and leave in good health on my own two feet."
"With your sister and cousin."
"Of course."
"How would you have achieved this?"
"I have no idea. How fortunate that I wasn't put to the test. I have you and your sisters and the rescue party to thank for that!"
"You are welcome, Mr Darcy. I suppose it is a relief to know that the Earl wouldn't kill anyone."
"I didn't say that, Miss Elizabeth!" Darce smiled. "He just doesn't usually do his killings himself. Oh, it looks like we are going into dinner."